DIY Ozone System

[CHOMPERS]

Hmmm, so chompers do you run it 24/7? Any strange readings in your tests? Kind of got me wondering how difficult, and how much it would costs to do one of these for my 4000 gal build........I'm keeping a close eye on this one. I'm very intrigued. In the end though I'd like to know your goal for an aquatic ecosystem ran with this system. Will this reduce/eliminate any of your tank maintenance? Nice thread and I second a sticky.

I have the ozone generator on a timer to turn on two hours per day. I am unable to test for any byproducts, however as mentioned earlier, they are apparent by the behavior change in my welks (snails). The two hours limits the production of the byproducts. I theorize that while the ozone is reacting with the previous days organics and nitrates, that the production of byproducts should be minimal. Not knowing the actual chemistry involved, this could easily be backwards. However, because of the results of different run times, it is evidenced that the former is correct.

For your build, I'd recommend using four units like mine or a full sized one. With mine running four hours on a 75g tank (bio-load is a 4 ft. moray eel), a single unit running 24 hrs will handle a similar bio-load in a 900g tank. Keep an eye on eBay for Bathroom Ionic Breezes or Ionic Pros. They are frequently at give away prices. You will need a container with a positive seal to contain the ozone as it is produced. Sportsmens dry boxes (plastic ammo cans) are ideal, however the ones sold at Walmart have ineffective seals. You can get them with quality seals at boating stores, sports stores (hunting and camping), and Army Navy Surplus stores.

 

[CHOMPERS]

for a tank that large it'd be difficult to diy an ozone system i think. May be better with a drip system/hydroponics.

Never say never. When you say that something can't be done, you have admitted defeat before you even tried. With enough thought and patients, you can do anything.

...except dribble a football (American Football, not soccer football). It is said that you also can't lick your own elbow, however I know a girl that can.

 

[necrocanis]

I have the ozone generator on a timer to turn on two hours per day. I am unable to test for any byproducts, however as mentioned earlier, they are apparent by the behavior change in my welks (snails). The two hours limits the production of the byproducts. I theorize that while the ozone is reacting with the previous days organics and nitrates, that the production of byproducts should be minimal. Not knowing the actual chemistry involved, this could easily be backwards. However, because of the results of different run times, it is evidenced that the former is correct.

For your build, I'd recommend using four units like mine or a full sized one. With mine running four hours on a 75g tank (bio-load is a 4 ft. moray eel), a single unit running 24 hrs will handle a similar bio-load in a 900g tank. Keep an eye on eBay for Bathroom Ionic Breezes or Ionic Pros. They are frequently at give away prices. You will need a container with a positive seal to contain the ozone as it is produced. Sportsmens dry boxes (plastic ammo cans) are ideal, however the ones sold at Walmart have ineffective seals. You can get them with quality seals at boating stores, sports stores (hunting and camping), and Army Navy Surplus stores.

This is all good news chompers. I've followed this thread with great hopes. If I can do one it will need to be relatively cheap and actually work. It will be kind of a series of things that I will be putting to work on my big tank. First helper I am thinking of will be a reverse under gravel filter that will be designed to run for two hours per day. The second project will be a diy water changer that will either drip, or do an auto waterchange once per day at around 2 percent. Third project will be this ozone reactor. So may be a long time comming, but doesn't mean I won't start gathering material for it now. The initial bioload in the tank will be a single 2' rtc, and over a period of a few weeks will increase to a dozen cats that size or larger. So initially the live weight will be around 100 lbs+, and within two to three years there will be a total of 22 catfish that size and larger because of their growth, plus whatever rescues I do locally. You can see why I am comming up with systems to make my tank maintenance more automated. Thinking of trying to incorporate a settling chamber in the first chamber of the filter I have designed also.

Now to get back on track with this thread. Do you think I could make a sealed container out of sealed plywood for the chamber? If not I will look into the ones that you have already described.

 

[CHOMPERS]

A sportsmans dry box will cost between $12 and $16. They are big enough to hold 4-6 of the bathroom generators. Building one isn't going to be cost effective unless you wanted to use a regular room unit (Ionic Breeze or Ionic Pro). To seal a plywood box lid, you can use weather stripping. Ozone will cause "dry rot" in the foam type of seal. It is cheap though and can be replaced easily. There is also the type that is encased in cloth or rubber.

For your other projects, have a look at my 250g for inexpensive ways to do them:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69943

 

[X24]

Never say never. When you say that something can't be done, you have admitted defeat before you even tried. With enough thought and patients, you can do anything.

...except dribble a football (American Football, not soccer football). It is said that you also can't lick your own elbow, however I know a girl that can.

I didn't say never, i simply said for the sheer size of the project, other nitrate reducing systems would be more effective on the tank.

With the diy ozone there are still a few grey areas and you are recommending just running it every couple hours, whereas with something more natural like a hydroponics setup you keep it running continuously and it'll eat nitrates continuously.

If there isn't really room for a hydroponics system then I'd def. look more closely at the ozone system and see how you could increase its effectiveness and fish safety of it.

 

[Dr Joe]

for a tank that large it'd be difficult to diy an ozone system i think. May be better with a drip system/hydroponics.

I've designed systems to rejuvenate lakes & ponds (we're talking acres of surface area) so this is actually quite simple.

The small & economical way that CHOMPERS is doing it is what's interesting.

Dr Joe

.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Is there anything that you haven't done? People keep telling me otherwise but I know you are the guy that invented Flubber.

 

[necrocanis]

I've designed systems to rejuvenate lakes & ponds (we're talking acres of surface area) so this is actually quite simple.

The small & economical way that CHOMPERS is doing it is what's interesting.

Dr Joe

.

that gives me hope for my tank! Thanks

Is there anything that you haven't done? People keep telling me otherwise but I know you are the guy that invented Flubber.

lol, I've read a lot of his threads and your threads. I think maybe you invented it together!!

 

[Dr Joe]

Is there anything that you haven't done? People keep telling me otherwise but I know you are the guy that invented Flubber.

I haven't been pregnant, but I have delivered several babies.

I haven't been to the moon but I have bounced radio signals and lasers off of it.

Ever been put on a submarine from a helicopter in the middle of the ocean (somewhere, they weren't very good on giving details) interestingly, they don't quite stop for you.

Haven't been to the center of the earth but built an R.O.V. that went 1 mile below the surface.

Made a battery backup so the VCR clock would stop flashing.

I'm not going to get into all the things that go boom (either on purpose or otherwise).

There's a few things I've still got in the works.

Flubber...

That's a sore spot for me, it was mid 1960, I was too trusting back then. I don't share anymore.


Dr Joe

.

 

[necrocanis]

lol, does anything in this link look worth while, or cost?

http://www.swimmingpoolsetc.com/poolozonators.htm

Sorry for bugging you so much I just want to have all my ducks in a row on this. The spa ozonator is rated at 2500 gals. The price is right at $75. Going to look on ebay though cause cheaper is better lol. I love MFK. I should have started building this tank a long time ago. I just had to read enough threads by you, Dr. Joe, Johnptc, ect to get my confidence up. It all just seems to make sense now. I like the link's description of what exactly an ozonator does to harmful particles. Maybe I could shoot them an email to see what if any byproducts are left in the water.